Magdalene Emerging:
An Online Journey For Lent
Historically, Lent was a time of “giving something up”. But another practice has been emerging in the past few decades: taking something on as a practice to deepen your spiritual life. To this end, Magdalene scholar Kayleen Asbo, Ph.D is making available Mythica's online study course, “22 Days of Mary Magdalene” as a Lenten practice for groups. Every day for 22 days beginning on Ash Wednesday, you will receive in your email inbox a rich array of materials to get you started on an exploration of one of the most important, but misunderstood, figures of Christianity: Saint Mary Magdalene.
The Biblical texts are very clear that Mary Magdalene was a faithful and devoted disciple of Jesus who stands at the heart of the story of Holy Week. She is named by all the Gospel writers as both a courageous witness to the crucifixion and the first witness to the resurrection, chosen by Christ to deliver his message of hope to his other disciples. Yet over the centuries, the image of Mary Magdalene as the “Apostle to the Apostles” (her first title) was erased and replaced by other images that have no Biblical basis: penitent sinner, prostitute, adulteress. How and why did this happen?
This series will explore Mary Magdalene as she appears in the Biblical stories and how she was confused with other historical figures like Mary of Egypt over time. We will examine Mary Magdalene’s role in other early Christian texts that were rediscovered in Egypt in the 20th century, including texts like The Gospel of Thomas and The Gospel of Philip that were found in Nag Hammadi. Also introduced will be two other Gospels written in her name: The Gospel of Mary and The Gospel of The Beloved Companion. You’ll learn about the extraordinary inspiration Mary Magdalene has offered across time for saints like St. Francis , Teresa of Avila and Catherine of Sienna . You'll discover how she was a muse for poets like Rainier Maria Rilke and artists like Caravaggio, Vermeer and Rodin. Included in the series will be astonishingly beautiful artworks across the centuries, and a discussion of how she has been reimagined in our own time by contemporary painters and authors like Dan Brown in The DaVinci Code and Kathleen McGowan in The Expected One. . We’ll also explore Mary Magdalene from a Jungian Depth Psychology perspective as an archetype of wholeness and integration, a disciple who represents the journey of becoming fully human and spiritually mature.
Following the 22 Days series, you will receive a series of guest posts from interfaith leaders, artists, musicians, scholars and poets about how Mary Magdalene has touched their hearts, ignited their creativity and transformed their lives.
At the end of this series, you will have a host of contemplative practices to explore, with a set of prayers, images and journaling questions to continue your Lenten journey to Easter, when you may encounter the stories of Holy Week with new eyes and ears.
You will also be invited to participate in a live ZOOM question and answer session with Kayleen Asbo, Ph.D, our Magdalene Scholar on Tuesday, April 9 at 7 pm PST and to post your own thoughtful and respectful reflections on a private Facebook page.
Magdalene Emerging: A Lenten Journey is offered at a discounted special rate for church groups or friends to share for only $33.00 per person. It is our hope that you will meet together over Lent to discuss this rich and thought provoking material that has been transformative for so very many seekers,. It is our dream that together we will find ways to bring Mary Magdalene's story to the world.
The Biblical texts are very clear that Mary Magdalene was a faithful and devoted disciple of Jesus who stands at the heart of the story of Holy Week. She is named by all the Gospel writers as both a courageous witness to the crucifixion and the first witness to the resurrection, chosen by Christ to deliver his message of hope to his other disciples. Yet over the centuries, the image of Mary Magdalene as the “Apostle to the Apostles” (her first title) was erased and replaced by other images that have no Biblical basis: penitent sinner, prostitute, adulteress. How and why did this happen?
This series will explore Mary Magdalene as she appears in the Biblical stories and how she was confused with other historical figures like Mary of Egypt over time. We will examine Mary Magdalene’s role in other early Christian texts that were rediscovered in Egypt in the 20th century, including texts like The Gospel of Thomas and The Gospel of Philip that were found in Nag Hammadi. Also introduced will be two other Gospels written in her name: The Gospel of Mary and The Gospel of The Beloved Companion. You’ll learn about the extraordinary inspiration Mary Magdalene has offered across time for saints like St. Francis , Teresa of Avila and Catherine of Sienna . You'll discover how she was a muse for poets like Rainier Maria Rilke and artists like Caravaggio, Vermeer and Rodin. Included in the series will be astonishingly beautiful artworks across the centuries, and a discussion of how she has been reimagined in our own time by contemporary painters and authors like Dan Brown in The DaVinci Code and Kathleen McGowan in The Expected One. . We’ll also explore Mary Magdalene from a Jungian Depth Psychology perspective as an archetype of wholeness and integration, a disciple who represents the journey of becoming fully human and spiritually mature.
Following the 22 Days series, you will receive a series of guest posts from interfaith leaders, artists, musicians, scholars and poets about how Mary Magdalene has touched their hearts, ignited their creativity and transformed their lives.
At the end of this series, you will have a host of contemplative practices to explore, with a set of prayers, images and journaling questions to continue your Lenten journey to Easter, when you may encounter the stories of Holy Week with new eyes and ears.
You will also be invited to participate in a live ZOOM question and answer session with Kayleen Asbo, Ph.D, our Magdalene Scholar on Tuesday, April 9 at 7 pm PST and to post your own thoughtful and respectful reflections on a private Facebook page.
Magdalene Emerging: A Lenten Journey is offered at a discounted special rate for church groups or friends to share for only $33.00 per person. It is our hope that you will meet together over Lent to discuss this rich and thought provoking material that has been transformative for so very many seekers,. It is our dream that together we will find ways to bring Mary Magdalene's story to the world.
